Ontario Invests $134 Million in Police Helicopters to Combat Car Theft and Organized Crime

In a significant move to address the escalating issues of car theft and organized crime, the Ontario government has announced a $134 million investment in police helicopters for the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. These advanced helicopters are designed to enhance public safety by tackling violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing, and impaired driving.

Premier Doug Ford emphasized the necessity of this investment, stating, “Our government is making the necessary investments to ensure that police services have the tools and resources they need to crack down on auto theft and car thieves. From implementing new technologies and innovative policing strategies to tackling guns and gangs and getting more boots on the ground, we’ll do whatever it takes to put the criminals behind bars and keep our communities safe.”

The new Joint Air Support Unit will feature two H135 helicopters operated by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), providing critical support to Ottawa and Toronto Police Services. Additionally, Durham, Halton, and Peel Regional Police Services will each receive a helicopter, aimed at improving patrols and response times across the region.

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner highlighted the importance of these measures, saying, “Criminal networks have become more sophisticated, but so have we. In Ontario, a car is stolen every 14 minutes—this is completely unacceptable. These helicopters will be a critical tool in helping police stay one step ahead of the criminals who are stealing cars and committing crimes on our streets.”

This investment is a key component of the 2024 Ontario Budget, titled Building a Better Ontario. It builds on the province’s previous $51 million allocation to support the OPP’s Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team and the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team. The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety by equipping police services with the necessary resources to handle major incidents and urgent situations.

Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy stated, “We are investing directly in the wellbeing of Ontario families, who deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. With these five new helicopters patrolling our roadways and neighbourhoods, we’re sending a clear message to criminals that we do not tolerate threats to public safety.”

Project Vector, a recent joint effort between the OPP and the Canada Border Services Agency, successfully recovered 598 vehicles worth approximately $34.5 million from the Port of Montreal between December 2023 and March 2024. Additionally, the GTA’s Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force, led by the Toronto Police Service and the OPP, made 124 arrests, laid 749 charges, recovered 177 vehicles, and seized eight firearms from September 2023 to March 2024.

Thomas Carrique, Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, praised the new initiative, stating, “Air support is an extremely effective law enforcement and public safety tool that significantly enhances the capacity of the police to detect crime, disrupt criminal activity, safely apprehend offenders, and assist vulnerable missing persons. The establishment of the Joint Air Support Unit and the expansion of OPP Aviation Services will contribute greatly to the safety of our communities and the security of our province.”

The Ontario government is also investing $112 million to assist police in monitoring repeat and violent offenders released on bail. This includes $24 million for the creation of dedicated bail compliance and warrant apprehension teams, along with new technology for a provincewide bail compliance monitoring system.

Peel Regional Police Service Chief Nishan Duraiappah also lauded the investment, noting, “This is a monumental investment that will provide much-needed support to our officers and help them in the work they do every day to enhance community safety. The addition of these helicopters is a great example of what can be accomplished when police services and the provincial government work together to help improve police response and the safety of the citizens of Ontario.”